Tracking Purdue offense | Stretching the field

• Purdue is averaging 490 total yards through the first five games
• Freshman Rondale Moore has made 31.7 percent of the team's receptions this season
• The Boilermakers have thrown one interception in the last 18 quarters
• Saturday's opponent - Illinois - has 10 interceptions through five games

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. —  Tracking the offense after five games and heading into Saturday’s matchup at Illinois:

ONE TAKEAWAY

The offense is humming along.

David Blough has the hot hand at quarterback. Rondale Moore is producing big plays. The running game is churning out important yardage. The offensive line has held up in protection.

So, what’s next step for this offense, which is averaging 490 total yards?

“It's important that all of our guys feel part of it and can make plays for us,” coach Jeff Brohm said. “This past game we had some big plays, but we had some other opportunities and one-on-one matchups that we didn't make which actually we had been making up to that point.”

The Boilermakers probably need to spread the ball around more during the final seven games. Opponents are keying on Moore, the terrific freshman receiver, and that should open opportunities throughout the rest of the offense.

Moore has been targeted 53 times by Blough and Elijah Sindelar – an average of 10.6 per game – and he’ll continue to see his share of attempts. But Brohm is also looking to incorporate other receivers into the mix on a consistent basis.

Isaac Zico is No. 2 on the list with 29 targets, followed by Jared Sparks with 28.

GAME WEEK:Purdue at Illinois

BALL SECURITY:Looms large as Purdue prepares to face Illinois

BASIC PLAYS:Lack of trick plays good sign for Purdue offense

For this offense to continue to grow, it must hit more vertical passes and that’s where Zico, Sparks and Terry Wright enter the picture. Even tight ends Brycen Hopkins and Cole Herdman can stretch the field as opponents pay attention to Moore. 

Although the Boilermakers didn’t win a lot of the one-on-one battles down the field against Nebraska, it wasn’t for a lack of trying. Brohm will continue to push the ball deep. 

“We've got to continue to take our shots,” Brohm said. “I think it's important and I think it's important as a play caller to take shots and give yourself a chance to make a play. If some are not working as much, you have to do something different, but we do have to throw the ball up the field vertically.”

TRENDING UP

Short yardage: The Boilermakers are 11-for-11 in third-and-1 situations.

Big scoring games: Scored 30 or more points in three straight. Can make it four in a row this week, marking the first time since 2007.

TRENDING DOWN

Red zone TD’s: Only 12 in 24 attempts.

Penalties: Offense was flagged seven times against Nebraska

3 QUESTION

• Can the offense avoid turnovers against an Illini defense which is thriving in this area?  

• Is the rushing attack capable of producing another big game at Illinois? Purdue is averaging 235 yards on the ground in its last four trips to Memorial Stadium.

• Will the tight ends become the go-to players in the red zone?

LOOKING AHEAD

No one knows for sure if the week off will slow the momentum the offense generated the last three weeks. But it’s important the Boilermakers continue to come out and play aggressively and push the ball up the field. Moore is always a threat, but Zico, Wright and Sparks can become game-changers since opponents are defending them in one-on-one situations most of the time. The offense has found a rhythm, thanks to Blough and Brohm’s play calling, but will need to produce more in the second half of the season. 

SATURDAY'S GAME

Purdue (2-3, 1-1) at Illinois (3-2, 1-1)

Time: 3:30 p.m. 

TV: FS1

Radio: WAZY (96.5)